'Moment of truth': Debate over trade, peace sparks global buzz

Two eminent experts from China and US cross swords in clash of worldviews

Two high-profile Chinese and US experts engaged in a heated, one-on-one debate on the effects and implications of China's growth, broadcast on the Al Arabiya English Channel show Counterpoints. The video of the debate has proved quite popular on YouTube, garnering more than half a million views and 9,300 comments as of Monday.

Exchanges between Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, and Chinese geopolitical expert Victor Gao on April 16 revolved around the Donald Trump administration's antagonistic moves against China in the escalating tariff war and in expanding the United States' military presence along China's coast.

Moderator Melinda Nucifora framed her questions in terms of how and why US policy treats China as a hostile threat to its global dominance rather than as a "win-win" partner in friendly competition.